KEY BULLDOG
Damian Williams, backup quarterback
Although he played the entire game and made the key throw to clinch a 17-10 win against Arkansas, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was limited against the Razorbacks. Despite throwing for a career-high 331 yards, Prescott favored his left leg at times against the Razorbacks and ran 13 times, his second-lowest total of the season. Against the Ohio Valley Conference’s UT-Martin (5-5), the Bulldogs (8-0) should be able to rest Prescott, who platooned with Williams, in the first three games of the season.
Asked about that possibility, though, MSU coach Dan Mullen said, “That decision would come later in the week.”
KEY STAT
Total yards
Coming off a win against Arkansas that saw MSU post its lowest yardage total of the season, 459, the Bulldogs could have the opportunity to cruise past the 500-yard plateau for the seventh time. UT-Martin allowed nearly 600 yards and 59 points in its only other game against a Southeastern Conference opponent this season, a season-opening 59-14 loss to Kentucky. In that game, Kentucky rushed for 234 yards and a season-high six touchdowns. Those numbers could be good signs for MSU, which rushed for a season-low 128 yards against Arkansas.
PLAYER TO WATCH, UT-MARTIN
Tony Bell, LB
Bell has done a little bit of everything for the Skyhawks. The Memphis, Tennessee, native is second on the team with 60 tackles. He leads the team in sacks (5.5), tackles for loss (17), fumble recoveries (three), and forced fumbles (two). He also has an interception.
WHAT MUST IMPROVE
Turnovers.
The Bulldogs have survived a pair of first-half meltdowns in the turnover department recently, beating then-No. 2 Auburn 38-23 despite four second-quarter miscues and beating unranked Arkansas 17-10 in spite of three first-half turnovers.
Against Arkansas, the biggest mistake was a muffed punt by freshman Jamoral Graham, which led to the Razorbacks’ lone touchdown. It was Graham’s fourth-straight game with a fumbled punt.
“The fumbled punts are a major concern because that is a skill,” Mullen said. “It is not like they played great defense to force those turnovers. That is us making a mistake. Saturday, I think we made mistakes on all of the turnovers. Most of the year I do not think our turnovers have been that way. The defenses have made great plays.”
SURPRISE BULLDOG
Gabe Myles, WR
Against similar competition — Southern Mississippi, Alabama-Birmingham, and South Alabama — MSU saw a number of players have big statistical performances. The Bulldogs’ ability to spread the ball around sets up well for Myles, who continues to shine in the absence of senior starter Jameon Lewis, who played sparingly against Arkansas. As the Bulldogs possibly look to save wear-and-tear on Prescott and tailback Josh Robinson, look for versatile playmakers like Myles to fill in the gaps against UT-Martin.
STRENGTHS VS WEAKNESSES
MSU has had plenty of strengths offensively this year, but a sluggish performance against Arkansas has it searching for offensive momentum before its game against No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 15. It could find the momentum it is looking for against a defense that has struggled against the run and the pass. The Skyhawks gave up six rushing touchdowns against Kentucky to open the season, and are allowing two touchdowns per game through the air. Both statistics could mean big things for MSU.
— Brandon Walker
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